The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-25
COMEDY VS.. TRAGEDY.
MR.. W. .. FLORENCE DEMONSTRATES
ITS SUPERIORITY.
Recourse Had to the Diamond, with the
Louis James Company in Hostile Ar
ray-Two Souvenirs, Borne BY Mr..
Florence and a Reporter.


Manager Frank Gray to give the public a
Hrst-class line OF attractions during the
present season. So far the list has been
IN admirable one, and the companies have |
left with several hundreds of dollars |
more to their credit than when they ar
rived.
About 10 o'clock yesterday morning,
while disagreeableness in its fullest sense
reigned in the atmosphere, closed car
rage might have been seen making its
way rapidly along Main street from the
Kansas City depot, making for the Pea
could not fail 10 notice q round-iaced,
clean-shaven, good-natured looking gem
tleman, apparently about forty years Of
age, glancing through the window at vari-
GUS objects along the route. By him sat
q lady, with beautiful but some
what pale features. her well-molded
form clad in handsome, per-
fectly fitting gray travelling dress,
q cap 10 match adjoining her exquisitely
shaped head. These were Mr.. and Mrs.
w. ]. Florence, brilliant lights IN
Americas coterie Of theatrical stars. They
bad just arrived from st. Louis. Arriving
at the Peabody, they were at once assigned
TO a luxuriously furnished suite Of rooms,
and spent the remaining morning hours in
counteraciing the wearisome effects OF a
long night ride.
An APPEAL reporter visited Mr.. Flor
ence in his room yesterday afternoon. He
found the distinguished comedian sur
,.,.l, haa, u.Nf M !. mn
orandum books, newspaper clippings, and
other significant specimens Of stationery
bric-a.brac.
Excuse the enlarged condition Of the
shaking member OF my anatomy" he
said, extending his right hand cordially,
while a broad smile illumined his classic
features, evidently born OF the recoilec-
ton OF the exciting contest which caused
the enlargement. "You see, IL is recog-
nized fact the world over that comedy can
force tragedy 10 pack It's grip and hustle TO
the next stand any day in the week, save
among those unfortunates who have not
the bump OF humor developed sufficiently
10 shake the Now Is tho winter Of our
discomfort line. At st. Louis we en-
countered the James wainwright combina-
ton, with full stock in trade. Both
companies did well, drawing large and in
telligcnt audiences without any reduction
of admission prices. Thursday the rivalry
took a new, novel and unexpected carrom.
Our manager, Mr.. Elliott, received a
strictly business challenge TO meet the
james company in u friendly contest
on the diamond. When he sub.
mittcd the document 10 me,
told him TO summon my braves
insianter, arm and equip themselves with
bats, masks, boxing gloves and other es
sential paraphernalia 10 the struggle, and
we would meet the enemy. lie did no,
tho roll was called. and II was found Their,
were lust nine, beside myself. or course
that talliod with my inclinations, for an
not a crank on the subject, except 10 le
the fellows do the playing, and the gam'
was organized with me ON the grand stan'
M large and intelligent attendance.
James and his manager took mean al
vantage Of us and rung In Arson, Kelly
Clarkson and Flint, but we never discov
cred the fraud until the last halt oil tn
eighth inning had been played.
''When the game was called, the cxper
who had been retained 90 umpire startel
In by calling three strikes on Elliott. Thi
made me mad, and leaving my place on III
stand raised kick, had the follow place
on the retired list with full pay, an
donned the mask myself. All Of SUD
den.--I never knew Just how II cam
about turned 90 smile and acknow
edge pleasure NJ Ms. Florcnces indoors
mcnt Of my rulings, and Clarkson aimed
vicious curve at my right hand, which WI
sweeping round the circle in grlccf,
salaam. Play was stopped until my friend
could bear me on a stretcher 10 my vile
aide. rcgained consciousness Just ~ m
successor called tho game on account
darkness, at the end OF tho eighth inninI
the score standing Is 10 Is IN iayor
comedy. Qualification was 10 intense tn
the victors, their wives, Mrs. Florence ~
Iheld an open air meeting until long ait
,he shades OF evening had enveloped u
earth, discussing the day events. None
us rraspcd the reality that a change Of ter
pcratufc had occurred, and, a. cons
auence, quininc, Doycr's powders, ging'
lemons and an increased supply OF han
kerchicis come In IN excess baggage
travelling expenses. Mn. Florence
bless hers in the next noon, wrcihi
with the remnants Of the cold contract
on that a. b. b. dad blasted ball field
with chances slightly In favor Of the col
The balance Of IA, by rcsorting frequent
20 the n. I. r.-never failing cmcdy-ha
shaken the demon loose. Our opponei
in the a. c.-desperaie coniiict-far
equally a. bad, besides having 10 endu
the chsgrin Of defeat We always 8. 1
gi thar" -,
As the umpire-comedian progressed
his recital OF the thrilling and dlsaStrt
diversion, his blood warmed, his q
lighted up with beautiful wine ooloi
tint, his ewes sparklcd with unicigned
light, his fingers opened and closed ne
ously and ~ the words git thar hoa
through the key hole and iransom
into the reyorbcrating halls. Il was accc
. panied by the sharp bang Of a rsou
Ing rap on the hard oak board In
with his John l.. Sullivan looking ha
There was a silence which u would b
been proiane 10 break, and during
reign Mr. Florence had the floor. N
was a suspicious moisture IN bis eyes
lips moved ~ u words full Of meaning
strpr-l'ng for escape; he paced the J
like inpatient gladiator but nm
droppeo heap between the arms
capacious ci..ir. a beautiful picture OF
virtue OF resignation. The iortioth
since the affection came upon me,
murmurrd, and for n Tow minutes
gased ab-ently out the window, a. II
yolying the idea Of suicide. The repo
CONTEMPLATED the spectacle In silence q
moment. and with compassion gnawin
his shoe slrinea, stealthily moved toy
the door. Uniortunately-or fortunai
which may never be known-it WIS clio
and the noise Of the opening recalled
Florence from the realm OF meditation
"Don't leave me that way. beg OF y
be entrcated. at was not your iault
now suffer the sgonics Of The damn
So.I-and WIN have A right 10 rccomp